Bishop Tracy S. Malone announces the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status which, unless otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2024.
| 2024 Appointments | |||
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Kimmy Farone | Creston Canaan & Burbank Trinity UMCs | Central Valley | |
| Randy May | Willoughby & North Mentor Centenary UMCs | Northern Waters | |
#BeUMC
Each episode of our East Ohio Conference podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.
Episode 30 is titled “Belonging and Inclusion: Ministering to Digital Natives”. The episode features a discussion with Rev. Shane Russo of Go Be Church, an entirely online church plant of the East Ohio Conference that is designed to share about Jesus, engage people, and build beloved community on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms.
You are invited to be part of the #BeUMC campaign that calls us to embrace our Wesleyan heritage. #BeUMC honors the core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church and aligns with our shared East Ohio Conference vision: disciple making; belonging & inclusion; influence, connection & impact; and experiencing God through The UMC.
Join laity and clergy from across the East Ohio Conference in sharing your 1- to 2-minute story of the ways your life has been transformed through the ministries of The United Methodist Church. E-mail Brett Hetherington to schedule a time to record your video.
View #BeUMC stories & the EOC #BeUMC website.
For questions about Communications ministries such as the #BeUMC campaign, live-streaming, licensing, social media and more, please e-mail Rick Wolcott, executive director of Communications, or visit the Communications pages of the Conference website.
Bishop’s Office
Bishop Tracy S. Malone Invites Us On A Journey Through Lent to Easter
“I invite us on a journey of deepening our faith in Jesus Christ and reaffirming our commitment to practice the spiritual disciplines that lead to greater discipleship. I invite us to focus on each week’s provided theme and scriptures, and to take time to listen to how the Holy Spirit is speaking into our lives and calling us to respond,” Malone said.
Week 6 (March 17-23) Listen James 1:19
“During Holy Week and on Easter Sunday, I invite us to read the daily devotions that I wrote for publication in The Upper Room Disciplines: A Book of Daily Devotions 2024. You can order the book online through the Cokesbury website, www.cokesbury.com. Every day we choose to say yes!” said Malone.
View the Saying Yes to Christ Lenten resource.
General Conference
General Conference Webinar – March 19
Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the East Ohio Conference delegation invite laity and clergy to participate in a General Conference information webinar from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19.
The online webinar hosted on Zoom will provide information about the upcoming postponed 2020 General Conference to be held April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Webinar viewers will be able to ask questions via the Q&A Zoom feature so that we are all more informed as we live into our shared vision for how we can fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
View the March 19 General Conference webinar.
Financial & Administrative Services
“Live from Wespath” Informational Webinar – April 10
Wespath is offering a live, no-cost, virtual event for all clergy and lay participants who want to gather more information about General Conference, investments, benefits, and well-being. For clergy, one of the segments will focus on the new COMPASS retirement plan which, if approved at General Conference, should go into effect January 1, 2026.
You must register to participate in this virtual event. Your registration allows you to participate in the entire event or simply to drop in for the segment(s) that interest you the most.
Learn more and register for “Live from Wespath”.
For questions about Financial & Administrative Services ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Vera Rebrovich, executive director of Financial & Administrative Services, or visit the Financial & Administrative Services pages of the Conference website.
Missions & Community Engagement
All In Community Ministry Monday: The First 72 – March 25
Monday, March 25 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Zoom All In Community Ministry Monday: The First 72 will share about an inspirational framework designed to guide community members wanting to make a difference in the lives of those returning home after an incarceration experience. The first minutes, hours, and days after a person’s release from incarceration are a most vulnerable time.
When there is not adequate support during the initial phase of reentry, a returning neighbor often responds out of desperation to fulfill needs instead of having hope for a better future. Being welcomed home is the first step to restoring a returning neighbor’s dignity, identity, safety, and self-worth. Join others on March 25 to learn where gaps in the reentry process can be filled by providing both tangible help and hopeful presence for returning neighbors.
The East Ohio Conference is partnering in All in Community Ministry, which was initiated by the West Ohio Conference. If you have questions about All in Community Ministry, please e-mail Jami Nathan or call Jami at (419) 591-9717.
Register for All In Community Ministry Monday Zoom Meeting.
Ministry Monday: The First 72 Flyer
All in Community: Navigating the Chaos of Reentry – April 3
April is Second Chance Month, a national annual effort to highlight the collateral consequences individuals face to become contributing citizens after an incarceration experience. In collaboration with several agencies, All In Community (AIC) will present “Navigating the Chaos of Reentry”, a free, engaging in-person and online event Wednesday, April 3 @ 7:00 p.m. at The United Methodist Church of Kent.
Valuable insight and information will be shared about what is needed to navigate well the challenging transition for successful reintegration. Panelists for the discussion will represent several viewpoints including the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Office of Reentry, justice-impacted individuals, and local reentry efforts.
The East Ohio Conference is partnering in All in Community Ministry, which was initiated by the West Ohio Conference. If you have questions about All in Community Ministry, please e-mail Jami Nathan or call Jami at (419) 591-9717.
View the livestream of Navigating the Chaos of Reentry.
Navigating the Chaos of Reentry Flyer
Canton For All People Gonder Place Ribbon-Cutting – April 6
EOC Health & Well-Being partner Canton For All People (Fund 9978) and the Board of Missions invite all to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for Gonder Place, a project to bring health services and a grocery store to 1318 Gonder Ave. SE in Canton’s southeast neighborhood. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., with guests welcome to arrive a half-hour earlier for refreshments and picture-taking. If you have questions about the ribbon-cutting or the ministry, please e-mail Canton for All People.
Learn more about Canton for All People.
Learn more about EOC Health & Well-Being Partners.
Application Deadline for Responsible Fatherhood Grants – March 22
In recognition of the importance of involved, committed, and supportive fathers, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services on behalf of the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood offers 10 grants of up to $3,000 to not-for-profit organizations, including churches. The project must be a father and child event happening in June of 2024 with all expenditures incurred during that month. Funds for the events will be made available on a reimbursement basis, with no funding available in advance. If you have questions about the grant application process, please e-mail Reba Collins of All in Community Ministry.
Learn about Responsible Fatherhood grants.
For questions about Missions & Community Engagement ministries and opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director, or visit the Missions & Community Engagement pages of the Conference website.
Strategic Ministries
Transition Trainings – April 20 & May 4
All churches and clergy who are experiencing a pastoral transition this year are invited to a transition training. A time of pastoral transition at the local church can be a season of excitement, stress, and anticipation. This workshop is designed to help make the transition healthy for all involved, prepare the congregation to launch its next season of ministry, provide helpful tips about important details, review the Rule of Christ, and much more.
This workshop is for Staff Parish Relations Committee members, simplified boards, other local church leadership, and pastors. It is ideal that you attend with other members of the committee from your local church so that you can participate as a team. Trainings this year are offered on April 20 at Wooster UMC and May 4 at Cuyahoga Falls First UMC. There is no cost for the training, but registration is required. If you have questions about the transition training, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director.
Register for these trainings on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Strategic Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director, or visit the Strategic Ministries pages on the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Tour the Camp Sites & Meet the Staff in April and May
You are invited to come tour our EOC camp sites, talk to the staff, and see what is being offered for Summer Camp 2024.
- Camp Asbury in Hiram – April 7 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Camp Wanake in Beach City – April 27 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., which includes the Resurrection Egg Hunt
- Camp Aldersgate in Carrollton – May 5 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
If these dates do not work with your schedule, please contact the sites directly via phone or e-mail to schedule your own visit.
- Camp Asbury at info@campasbury.org or (330) 569-3171
- Camp Wanake at info@campwanake.org or (330) 756-2333
- Camp Aldersgate at info@campaldersgate.org or (330) 627-4369
Register Now for Summer Camp 2024
Summer camp has always provided opportunities for campers, young and old, to have fun in the sun. Children, youth, and adults come together to learn new skills, have new experiences, and make new friends all under the guidance of our trained, creative, and compassionate staff. We look forward to partnering with your congregation as you include Summer Camp as part of the spiritual formation of your children and youth. If you have questions or would like to receive a Summer Camp 2024 brochure, call the EOC Camps office at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139 or send an e-mail to camps@eocumc.com.
Learn more about and register for Summer Camp 2024.
Sammi Riggs to Conclude Ministry at Camp Asbury
Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Camps & Retreat Ministries director, announces that Sammi Riggs will conclude her ministry at Camp Asbury effective April 1, 2024.
“Sammi has provided powerful leadership to the East Ohio Conference Camping Ministry for over six years (four years as the assistant director at Camp Asbury and two years as the director). She has been an integral part of the overall Conference camping program,” Jones said. “Her strong, effective leadership, and passion for the outdoors will be missed.”
“From my first summer as a counselor in 2013, my life has been shaped by my experiences at Camp Asbury. Camp is where I discovered my passion for working in outdoor recreation, where I grew leaps and bounds in my faith, and where I formed many of my life-long friendships. I would not be the person I am today without the pivotal role that working in this ministry has played,” Riggs said. “While I am excited for the next chapter of my life and the many unknowns it will bring, it is a bittersweet feeling to leave such a special place. I want to thank all of the many guests, summer staffers, and current camp staff for their love and support as I venture to new places. The people that I have crossed paths while working at Asbury are truly what make this job so special and so unique. Camp Asbury will always be home to me.”
Jones and the Board of Camp & Retreat Ministries have made plans for leadership following Sammi’s departure. John Cruz, currently serving as the assistant director, will be stepping into the role of director. And Renee Vaughan, currently working with hospitality and marketing, will be stepping into the role of interim assistant director.
“We wish Sammi and her husband Jason well as they move to the next phase of life with our blessings,” Jones said.
For questions about Camps & Retreat Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Camps & Retreat Ministries / Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director, or visit the Camps & Retreat Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Young People’s Ministries
Youth Annual Conference – June 7-8
Join the fun June 7-8 as the youth of East Ohio gather for Youth Annual Conference 2024 at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky. Friday, June 7 will be a day of waterpark fun and connecting with fellow youth from all around our East Ohio Conference. On Saturday, June 8 we will participate in hands-on missions, worship together, and experience learning sessions centered around spiritual growth and leadership development. Lunch is included with the Saturday registration. If you have questions about YAC 2024, please e-mail Pastor Christy Suffecool, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries co-director. We look forward to seeing you June 7-8.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Young People’s Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Pastor Christy Suffecool or e-mail Tim Beck, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries co-directors, or visit the Young People’s Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Events: March 18 – March 31
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Saturday, March 23
Free Community Meal in Lakewood
To submit your event to the East Ohio calendar use this form. (The East Ohio Conference only accepts East Ohio United Methodist local church, conference and general UM events for listing on the Conference calendar.)
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Christian Education Director – Asbury UMC
- Administrative Secretary – Apple Creek UMC
Items Available/Wanted
- 28 robes available – Edison Memorial UMC in Milan
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, March 28, 2024. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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